Moral Injury: The War Inside

What is Moral Injury?

Moral Injury is a relatively recent term used ot describe a crisis that soldiers have faced for centuries, the internal suffering that results from breaking your own moral code. It's a wound of the conscience, and it's not just military members who struggle. Anyone can experience Moral Injury.

Moral Injury breaks the spirit. It makes people question their ability to do the right thing and leaves them contaminated with the feeling that they're "bad," "disgusting," or "beyond redemption." They may feel that they have an evil twin lurking inside. Moral Injury often leads to self-harm. People turn to alcohol, drugs, and self-isolation to avoid the pain of their feelings. The War Inside may leave some emotionally dead.

Imagine a soldier who takes a life in the line of duty. No matter howmuch good he does, he believes he’s a bad person. He hateshimself, hurts himself. He lives with Moral Injury.